shingle moss
ExplorePlants
shingle moss
Neckera pennata
Shingle moss is a soft, green plant that grows on rocks and trees. It looks like tiny green shingles and helps keep the environment healthy by holding water and providing homes for tiny creatures.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The shingle moss has flattened, overlapping leaves that create a smooth, tile-like mat. It typically appears a glossy, bright green when wet, dulling to an olive or brownish-green when dry, often found clinging to tree bark.
KingdomPlantaePhylumBryophytaClassBryopsidaOrderHypnalesFamilyNeckeraceaeGenusNeckera
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
If you look closely, shingle moss creates a miniature forest, providing homes for tiny insects and water bears!
Instead of seeds, shingle moss releases incredibly tiny spores into the wind, like microscopic dust, to reproduce!
Mosses, like shingle moss, do not have true roots; instead, they use tiny rhizoids to anchor themselves!
Shingle moss helps prevent soil erosion by holding moisture and soil particles in place, especially on slopes.
Special abilities
Ability
Moisture Magnet
Shingle moss can absorb water directly through its leaves, acting like a sponge to quickly soak up rain and dew.
Ability
Resurrection Power
Shingle moss can completely dry out and appear lifeless, but it can revive and become green again when moisture returns.
Ability
Clinging Conqueror
Shingle moss has specialized structures that allow it to firmly attach to rough surfaces like tree bark and rocks.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 2-10 cm
- Spread
- 5-30 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
shelters
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Often grows epiphytically on the bark of this tree.
eaten by
Red Slug
Arion rufus
These slugs may graze on mosses like shingle moss.
shelters
Tardigrade
Ramazzottius varieornatus
Moss mats provide a microhabitat for these tiny 'water bears'.
shelters
Green Springtail
Isotoma viridis
Springtails often live among mosses, finding food and shelter.
Traits
Nonvascular
This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's safe to touch, but be gentle and don't pull it off the rocks or trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is shingle moss?
2-10 cm
How wide does shingle moss spread?
5-30 cm
Is shingle moss edible?
No
Is shingle moss toxic?
None
What is shingle moss's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is shingle moss usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
_Carex_pendula_-_mature_infrutescences.jpg&width=800)
